MICHELE FETTER is BBCF’s June 2015 Athlete of the Month!
There’s a reoccurring theme with all of our Athletes of the Month, they have impeccable work ethic. Michele Fetter definitely meets and exceeds this standard! She is dedicated and consistent with her fitness. She thrives on setting goals and challenging herself. And she has become quite the leader in her 7pm class. When she began at Blackbird almost a year ago (we literally added the 7pm class for her so that she could redeem her surprise birthday gift from her husband) she was pretty shy. On some nights, Michelle and her twin sister, Shannon were the only 2 people in class for a few weeks until it caught on. And now she has turned into such a leader for one of our biggest classes. She serves as a great example of how to put in the work, enjoy the gains, but not take it all too seriously!
We were so proud of Michele when she signed up for her first competition. Truly stepping out of her comfort zone with her lifting partner, Julie; and they crushed it with clean PRs and a great attitude. She also led her 2015 BBCF CrossFit Open Team League team, Orange Crush, in some serious team spirit activities each week! Watching Michele go from a thick green banded pull up to getting her 1st unassisted pull up, was also a huge highlight. She has worked hard on her form and mechanics over the past months and is now Rx’ing most workouts and seeing good gains on the bar. Which is impressive since she juggles a hefty work travel schedule. When she’s home, she’s in the gym. She’s having fun, working hard, and inspiring all of those around her to do the same.
Meet Michele!
1. TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF.
I’m Michele Fetter, 41, from a very small Pennsylvania farm town. The kids I went to kindergarten with are the kids I graduated high school with (187 total). I have two sisters (including a twin you all may know) and a brother. I have a very spunky 5 year old daughter and my husband and I will be celebrating our 8th anniversary this year. I work as a Call Center Manager for Constellation. I may be able to get you a deal on your electricity and natural gas… ask me about it ;). I love to travel, which is good since I do it a lot for work.
2. WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO START CROSSFIT? HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN DOING IT?
Fitness has been a focal point in my life since my mid 20s. At that point I weighed as much as I did during my pregnancy, so I started to make it a priority. A year before joining Blackbird, I had started lifting on my own (with the help of an app). I would consider myself self-motivated, but truthfully, I was getting bored. As a birthday present my husband got me a 10 class punch card to Blackbird.
I do it now for two reasons; physical strength and sanity. Like many of us, I am non-stop from the time my alarm goes off until my head hits the pillow at night. CrossFit is my time to perform for me; not be a mom, wife or manager.
3. WHAT WERE YOUR THOUGHTS AFTER YOUR 1st WOD?
I walked out that day thinking, “Man, I thought I was in shape!” I was at the very first 7:00pm class, the only one in attendance, and my first WOD was with Rebekah. I could not wait to come back and see what was next.
4. WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST CROSSFIT MOMENT?
My proudest CrossFit moment was completing my first competition, the Gemini Games. My goal was not finish last. Goal was met!
5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVEMENT/LIFT? LEAST FAVORITE?
Deadlift is my favorite lift! Least fav movements or lifts would be double unders, overhead squats, dips…oh you said only 1 right? BTW least fav really means my most challenging.
6. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CHEAT MEAL?
Pizza and Beer! They just go together.
7. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT CROSSFIT?
Working out in a social setting and seeing my progress. I never thought pushing myself out of my comfort zone and truly challenging myself would feel so good.
8. WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS?
My next goal is to compete in another CrossFit competition and to finish in the top half. And I also have my longterm goals that I have written up on the Goal Wall at the gym that I am constantly working on: 10 handstand push ups, 200lb dead lift, and 20 unbroken double unders.
9. WHAT IMPACT HAS CROSSFIT HAD ON YOU IN AND OUT OF THE GYM?
With the help of the coaches, I have learned that we can’t be 100% all the time. It is ok to have an off day; it is not a failure, just an off day. This realization has also really helped me outside of the box in my every day life and at work, as well!
10. WHAT IS THE ONE TIP YOU WOULD GIVE SOMEONE CONSIDERING CROSSFIT OR NEW TO CROSSFIT?
Don’t be intimidated! CrossFit is for everyone. It is what you put into it. Set goals and work towards them one step at a time.
FREEWRITE:
I feel so comfortable at Blackbird. I can and have asked the coaches all kinds of questions and all were met with enthusiastic responses. It is clear they all have our best interest in mind and that our goals are their goals. I also love the BBCF community. Coming from a small town, I could not go anywhere without knowing someone. Moving to Maryland was very different; I didn’t know anyone other than my sister. It is so nice now to go to the store and see faces I know! I could not imagine my routine without BBCF. I have the most awesome workout buddies!